Compnay Barbers?

[PrettyBoyDonovan]

Something I've always wanted to do is to portray a barber during a living history event. The only problem I have is I can't seem to find if they do anything except cut hair. If anybody can give me some ideas of what to offer and a rate I should charge, or a book or site that deals with this subject, I'd be much obliged.

One more thing: This wouldn't be considered 'apothecary' would it? I need a good sounding name.

[markj]

Re: Company Barbers?

Greetings,

This seems like a fascinating topic; however, I would be REALLY careful about barbering (and particularly shaving) others at events as there may be legal and occupational restrictions against this. "Welcome to the 21st Century."

Having said this, here is a book that might be of assistance to you:

Thatford's illustrated styles of cutting and dressing the hair.
Thatford's, Gilbert S., Firm, Hair Dressers, New York.

1854 1. ed.
English Book 16 p. illus. 17 cm.
New York, Baker, Goodwin & Co.

I presume you have seen that well-known (posed) image of a "field barbershop?" There is also a well-known image of a soldier sitting in a chair, being shaved in the field (it appeared, as I recall, in "Harper's Illustrated Weekly").

Here's a web page about "barber bottles":

http://www.antiquebottles.com/barber/

Another fact: In the 19th Century barbering was considered to be one of the few "respectable" occupations for black males. Here in Lafayette, Indiana census records indicate there were several black barbers operating in town during the Civil War period. It's entirely possible that officers, for example, had their hair cut by their servants.

I can't imagine soldier-barbers openly performing surgical activities (e.g., cupping, bleeding, extracting teeth, etc.)--commanders and regimental surgeons undoubtedly took a dim view of such activities.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[K Bartsch]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

Something I've always wanted to do is to portray a barber during a living history event. The only problem I have is I can't seem to find if they do anything except cut hair. If anybody can give me some ideas of what to offer and a rate I should charge, or a book or site that deals with this subject, I'd be much obliged.

One more thing: This wouldn't be considered 'apothecary' would it? I need a good sounding name.

Well, if you have liability insurance :wink_smil you could take up shaving folks. It would involve becoming accomplished witha straight razor, and very trusting comrades. You really wouldn't need much more than a stump to sit folks on, a strop (the flesh side of a leather musket sling or waist belt works too), a razor, a basin and hot water, soap, a shaving mug and brush and a couple huck towels. A supply of alum powder or a block of alum is necessary to staunch bleeding from nicks. Now all that said, you really need to know what you're doing. It took me a month of regular practice to get good enough to shave myself fairly rapidly without cutting myself. The result is the closest shave possible!

Getting a shave was quite common during our period. Every other day was pretty typical. I'd say a charge of fifteen cents would be about right.

Finally, "apothecary" implies drugs and/or druggists, not barbers.
You might call yourself a "practicioner of the tonsorial arts."

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

http://www.newsday.com/extras/lihistory/5/diary3.htm

The diary of Henry W. Prince at the above site contains his personal accounts from August 1862 through the end of the war. An entry for January 2, 1865 reports that he paid 10 cents for a hair cut.

I recommend the site to everyone as giving interesting examples of prices paid for various articles during the war. You would, of course, have to take into account where he was and when he made the purchase (or sale -- he turned around a couple of watches and a revolver). Still -- enjoy.

[flattop32355]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

An option would be to do "reproduction" barbering; No blade in the razer, just lots of soap and water. Then you can ask any of the spectators, including the children, if they would like a shave. If they don't have a dime to "pay" for the service, you can tell 'em you'll just collect it after next payday.
You can post yourself as a Tonsor, or as a Tonsorial Shoppe.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

An option would be to do "reproduction" barbering; no blade in the razor, just lots of soap and water.

Bernard,

So you're saying he should just fake it, and give an "air shave?" (kinda like rockers playing air guitar.) "No blade in the razor?" (That would be farbism) I can't imagine anyone sitting in the mud for an "air shave".... :wink_smil

then you can ask any of the spectators, including the children, if they would like a shave.

Air shave the spectators? Is this a comedy routine? :)

Andrew,

Are you a barber in real life by any chance? Is this something you plan on doing in front of spectators? Air shave.... hahaha

I witnessed a couple guys in the Mudsills giving haircuts to a few individuals in the group. It wasn't fake, and they actually knew what they were doing. It was a nice touch.

[BorderRuffian]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

I don't believe I have seen a "barber-impression" at any events I've attended.We had a fellow that belonged to our unit at one time that was a barber by trade,and would cut some hair now and then when he attended an event.I have educated a barber near me on period mustache and beard styles using photos.I'm sure he likes to see me come in for a trim,as I pay him the going price for a haircut.It's worth it to me,I tend to mess it up when I try to cut it myself!

YOS

Forrest Peterson

[PrettyBoyDonovan]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

Air shave the spectators? Is this a comedy routine? :)

Andrew,

Are you a barber in real life by any chance? Is this something you plan on doing in front of spectators? Air shave.... hahaha

Am I a barber? By all means no. But if I can cut dogs hair, and my own hair I'm sure I can give some of my pards some period haircuts.

And I was actully thinking of incorporating some humor into the impresion. Something along the lines of giving someone a horrible cut and them getting pissed off :tounge_sm

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

And I was actually thinking of incorporating some humor into the impression. Something along the lines of giving someone a horrible cut and them getting pissed off.

Yeah, but he's gotta go back to work on Monday... :cry_smile

Maybe you could give him a "air hair cut" instead..... I'm sure Bernard would agree! :D

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

Now you people know why I have close cropped hair and beard! :baring_te

[flattop32355]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

Maybe you could give him a "air hair cut" instead..... I'm sure Bernard would agree! :D

No, I'm not a barber by trade.

I was speaking shaving, not hair cut.

You may ridicule to your hearts content, but IMHO, it would be a good way to closely interact with spectators of all ages and give them an experience to take home with them that not many others can boast about. Are we not in the trade of education through this hobby? Any innovation that draws people in to expand their experience with this period in our history is worthwhile.

If the problem is that it would not be "authentic" to not use a blade in the razor, remember that we all shoot muskets without bullets every time we fire. Not to mention our great concern for safety issues....

And if I would ever chance to do this aspect of camp life, I would be more than happy to have you in my chair, while using an "authentic" razor. :wink_smil

[KarinTimour]

Real Consequences of Period Barbering

Folks:

What I have to say is not for the squeamish. It is extremely important, and I urge everyone to read this information.

If anyone wants more information than what I've posted below, please feel free to contact me off-line at ktimour@aol.com. I will consider those communications as a trust of honor and hold them strictly and completely confidential.

If there are people who are offended by what I have to say, I'll apologize now.

Period Barbering
1. In terms of where to learn about how to shave someone with a straight razor, I would recommend scoping out an old-fashioned barbershop if there is such a thing in your area. Look for one of the oldest barbers in the place, explain that you want a lesson in shaving yourself, and negotiate a fee.

2. As someone else mentioned, depending on what state(s) you are planning to do this, there may be state laws or regulations regarding who can barber and under what circumstances.

3. But what I really want to discuss is something completely different, and vitally important to keep in mind if you are going to portray or patronize a period barber. As others have noted, when you shave people with a straight razor, it is pretty common to nick them from time to time. If the razor is not disinfected (like with chlorine bleach or other adequate disinfection procedures) between patrons, there is the very real possibility of the spread of blood borne diseases. I'm talking soaking razors in chlorine, not dipping them between patrons.

What diseases are we talking about? The most well known is HIV, but you need to also add to this list a number of different varieties of hepatitis.

As some of you know, in my 21st century life I do a lot of health education, primarily about HIV -- increasingly I'm including information about hepatitis as well. Both are spread by blood, but hepatitis is MUCH easier to catch than HIV, and the proportion of people who are infected with hepatitis and don't know it is absolutely staggering. Sharing razors is a well-documented route for sharing all of these infections, sometimes involving minute traces of blood. Hep B especially can live for long periods (like months) at room temperature on a razor, so if it's not adequately disinfected, the infection could come from someone at an event that happened months ago.

"But I"m healthy as a horse, I know I don't have any of this, and none of the guys in my unit do either."

Ms. Judd and Pamela Anderson are two folks who thought the same, but they both have had to cope with Hepatitis C infection. Most folks who are infected with hepatitis B or C will have their first symptoms 10-20 years after infection. It's not unusual for someone with Hep C to have first symptoms 30 years after infection. On average, first symptoms with HIV infection are usually seen at 7-10 years post infection. With all of these diseases, if someone has been infected, they can often take a blood test and it can detect the infection, even if you don't have any physical signs or symptoms. With HIV infection, there is a wait of a certain period of weeks after infection to get an accurate picture as to whether someone is infected or not. The amount of time varies by the sensitivity of the test being used. In New York State we are using a more sensitive HIV antibody test that can detect infection 1-3 months after infection. All states are using tests that can detect HIV infection within 6 months of infection. HIV tests are free from your state or county health department.

Don't wash your hands much at events? Or eat the cooking of those who don't wash much? Hepatitis A is spread by someone not washing their hands after going to the bathroom and getting fecal matter into food or on eating utinsels. There is a vaccine which you can get which can protect you from Hepatitis A -- ask your doctor or call your county health department. If you get Hep A you'll usually be very sick for about a week, but then will recover.

Know someone who is a veteran? The American Liver Foundation has been doing a drive for the past few years to raise awareness of Hepatitis C infection among veterans. They used to offer free screening to veterans, they might still offer this. Know a veteran? give thee ALF a call or check their website. The screening tests for hepatitis are simple blood tests, everyone should have them. If they don't have the disease, it's recommended that anyone who is sexually active consider a vaccine to protect them from Hep A and Hep B. There is currently no vaccine against Hep C.

In the days before about 1993 there were only three kinds of hepatitis -- hepatitis B, hepatitis C and "non-A, non-B hepatitis." There is now a widely available screening test for Hep C and the numbers of people who are discovering that they are infected is growing rapidly. The use of injection drugs like methamphetamine (crank), steroids (body builders), cocaine and heroin is on the rise, nationwide. Methamphetamine is particularly widespread in America's heartland and small towns -- where many reenactors live and work. We all want to believe that use of these drugs and the infections they can bring is only a risk for "those people." You can't tell by looking at someone whether they are infected until they are in very late stage disease. Ms. Judd and Pamela Anderson are both people who look as healthy as can be, but they both have experienced infection with Hepatitis C.


Unless I had inspected the period barber's real life infection control procedures, I would personally avoid doing this impression or patronizing this impression. For me this would fall squarely in the area of "health and safety issues which justify less than authentic practice." I know that it was suggested to "air barber" -- unless you've got solid training in infection control and a paid-up liability policy, I think the air barber is a much safer way to go.

If I've offended folks with this post I apologize, I consider it life-saving information and I strongly urge folks to keep it in mind and pass the information along if you know someone who may need it.

Finally, if you want more information, feel free to email me at the address below. All questions will be considered confidential.


Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitter -- Socks, Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[PrettyBoyDonovan]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

Allright, after reading that shaving seems out of the question. I actually thought the 'air-shave' idea could go over well if done right. Hopefully there's some other scenario's I can put on. Anyone know anything else (safe) that barbers did back then?

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

I can't believe the thread did not get killed at the ''air-shave'' point.
Thank you Karin for the much needed reality check.

Apothacary...common 18th & 19th century usage...One that prepares and sells drugs and other medicines; today, a compounding pharmacist.

[BHoover]

Re: Compnay Barbers?

If the problem is that it would not be "authentic" to not use a blade in the razor, remember that we all shoot muskets without bullets every time we fire.

Actually, the problem is that it would be impossible to not use a blade in the razor. We're not talking about 1960's safety razors with the removable blades, we're talking a straight razor. There is a handle, and a blade. Trying to shave someone without a blade would be akin to sawing a tree with a handle but no saw. It would look very foolish.